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Text by Ma Isabela AC Agawin | Photos by Anthony Jacob Karagdag

“The West Philippine Sea is a matter of national interest,” said a senior diplomat, emphasizing the importance of an informed citizenry on what the Philippines is fighting for in the disputed territory.

Assistant Secretary Charles C Jose of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) discussed the core issues, principles and actions taken by the government on the ongoing tension between China and PH at a multi-sectoral forum as part of the information and advocacy campaign between DFA and Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

Xavier University along with other schools in Cagayan de Oro City, leaders from government agencies, civil society organizations, fisher folks and the media drew together for the said event at the VIP Hotel on May 6 to discuss on the territorial tension between China and the Philippines.

Jose said that the Philippines is optimistic that the United Nations’ Permanent Court of Arbitration will favor the case filed against China in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He also discussed the immense economic importance of the West PH Sea to the Filipinos, especially to lives of more than 1.4M Filipinos in coastal communities.

Jose added that the Philippines might lose up to 80% of its resources from its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) if China got a hold of the territory.

The UN has asked for an explanation from China but until now the latter has shunned the call to answer the PH case.

Jose highlighted that the Philippines will continue to push for peaceful negotiations and diplomatic actions in the midst of China’s “indisputable claim of sovereignty” and their “assertive and aggressive actions to enforce their claim” to PH territory.

China also did not give geographical coordinates to the claim as they only have “unexplained historical bases or the 9-dash line” in the West PH Sea.

China tries to enforce its “assertive and aggressive actions” in claiming the 9-dash line through the construction of reclamation infrastructures in the Mabini Reef, Chigua Reef, Calderon Reef, Burgos Reef, Kagilingan Reef, Zamora Reef and the Panganiban Reef.

An open forum was held where the audience shared their insights and recommendations on how to deal with the issue and what could be the roles of the different sectors, especially in the information dissemination.

This is the second time the DFA and the PIA conducted this forum. The first time was in Cebu, exclusively to the media.

DFA and PIA plan to go around the country to heighten the info drive that would ripple to other sectors.